“There was once a merchant in the famous market at Baghdad. One day he saw a stranger looking at him in surprise. And he knew that the stranger was death. Pale and trembling the merchant fled the market place and made his way many many miles to the city of Samarra. For there he was sure death could not find him. But when at last he came to Samarra the merchant saw waiting for him the grim figure of death. “Very well” said the merchant. “I give in. I am yours. But tell me, why did you look surprised when you saw me this morning in Baghdad?” “Because,” said death, “I had an appointment with you tonight in Samarra.”